Shop Made Run Out Gage

[Hartwell85]

I made a run out gauge for my lathe based on a similar product sold by a woodworking supplier. (Can't remember the suppliers name.)
It was very easy to make. The post is a 1" wood dowel that was lightly sanded to make a push fit into the banjo's tool rest hole. Next, I precisely cut a notch on the dowel to snugly mount the dial indicator securing it with a 1/4"-20 bolt and nut. The whole assembly is very solid and I only need to lightly tighten the locking lever on the tool rest post to hold the indicator at the correct height. The photos show the gauge checking run out on my Axminister pen mandrel (0.002" run out).

 

[leehljp]

Fairly simple, and excellent results!

 

[gimpy]

Sorry, I don't get the concept
Of the notch and the dial indicator

 

[Old Hilly]

Simple, cheap and effective, what more could you ask for?

 

[monophoto]

Neat solution.

But I have one issue - I'm happy with my lathe. If I were to purchase a dial indicator and construct a mount like this, I would probably find that it has significant run-out. And that would make me unhappy.

The 'don't ask, don't tell' concept says I'm better off not knowing!

 

[SteveG]

Neat solution.

But I have one issue - I'm happy with my lathe. If I were to purchase a dial indicator and construct a mount like this, I would probably find that it has significant run-out. And that would make me unhappy.

The 'don't ask, don't tell' concept says I'm better off not knowing!

Louie, if you want to send me your lathe, just in case there is something wrong with it, I will provide shipping address.

Mark, I also like the nice, straightforward design. Very functional, without a lot of fuss!

 

[Hartwell85]

Sorry, I don't get the concept
Of the notch and the dial indicator

The notch provides a flat surface for the dial indicator to mount against. The indicator also rests firmly on top of the post to secure it. The shaft on pen mandrels have run out and you want to reduce it as much as possible so the blank is not turned out of round.

 

[gimpy]

The notch provides a flat surface for the dial indicator to mount against. The indicator also rests firmly on top of the post to secure it. The shaft on pen mandrels have run out and you want to reduce it as much as possible so the blank is not turned out of round.

Thank you I know have a better understanding

 

[michaelperez]

I made a run out gauge for my lathe based on a similar product sold by a woodworking supplier. (Can't remember the suppliers name.)
It was very easy to make. The post is a 1" wood dowel that was lightly sanded to make a push fit into the banjo's tool rest hole. Next, I precisely cut a notch on the dowel to snugly mount the dial indicator securing it with a 1/4"-20 bolt and nut. The whole assembly is very solid and I only need to lightly tighten the locking lever on the tool rest post to hold the indicator at the correct height. The photos show the gauge checking run out on my Axminister pen mandrel (0.002" run out).

Hello, thank you very much for your post. I recently aligned my lathe, "eyeballing",using my Axminster pen compressor, i simply tried to fit the shaft as centered as possible in the revolving tail stock and my lathe improved considerably.

But I always have in mind the idea of buying a dial indicator with mixing feelings, should I buy it or not.

Well, then I was thinking if I buy the dial indicator do I have to buy also a test or alignment bar? I also have the same idea that you showed in using my shaft as a testing bar but just yesterday I decided to check by eye my shaft using my surface height caliper.

I checked it without the revolving center and I noticed that in the end it has some run out so now I don't feel confident in using it as a testing bar.

Please if you have any recommendations or suggestions I'll be more than happy to have your feedback.

 

[Hartwell85]

Hello, thank you very much for your post. I recently aligned my lathe, "eyeballing",using my Axminster pen compressor, i simply tried to fit the shaft as centered as possible in the revolving tail stock and my lathe improved considerably.

But I always have in mind the idea of buying a dial indicator with mixing feelings, should I buy it or not.

Well, then I was thinking if I buy the dial indicator do I have to buy also a test or alignment bar? I also have the same idea that you showed in using my shaft as a testing bar but just yesterday I decided to check by eye my shaft using my surface height caliper.

I checked it without the revolving center and I noticed that in the end it has some run out so now I don't feel confident in using it as a testing bar.

Please if you have any recommendations or suggestions I'll be more than happy to have your feedback.

I used the Morse taper alignment bar to align the head and tail stocks on my Rikon lathe. I initially used the dial indicator to check run out on the pen mandrel shaft and was able to reduce run out to 0.001". Link to alignment bar: https://www.amazon.com/Lathe-Test-B...e+taper+alignment+tool&qid=1698460468&sr=8-19

 

[michaelperez]

I used the Morse taper alignment bar to align the head and tail stocks on my Rikon lathe. I initially used the dial indicator to check run out on the pen mandrel shaft and was able to reduce run out to 0.001". Link to alignment bar: https://www.amazon.com/Lathe-Test-Buddy-Bar-Harden/dp/B07PH5CB3X/ref=sr_1_19?adgrpid=1337006710086678&hvadid=83563158028343&hvbmt=bp&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=61167&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=p&hvtargid=kwd-83563277522771:loc-190&hydadcr=1643_13458088&keywords=morse+taper+alignment+tool&qid=1698460468&sr=8-19

Thank you so much, so for you the alignment bar is better than the dial indicator? Maybe more practical?
This was my first option until I read it could damage the MT2 headstock spindle.